Painting the underneath stuff

[catatonichampster]

Hey guys. Looking to do things myself that are not to horribly expensive. Things I can do this summer on a lawn mowers pay. I thought I would start on the underside. People can't see my mistakes under there. Seems like a great place to start making my truck look good. Going to put me on some huge mud flaps that say 'Built Ford Tough' later this summer. I would like to know...I want to paint the rear differential, springs and such. Keep in mind. I'm 16 and wads of money come not to often and when they do they are very weak and small. I would like to know for a guy on a serious budget what to use and how to go about cleaning underneath stuff well enough for it to accept paint. Please please correct me guys. I figure on taking hot water, dawn and a wire brush and scrubbing grease dirt and oil away the best I can. I figure on rustolium primer from a spray can. I figure on using black high temperature engine paint. I don't have the use of steam cleaners or sand blasters and such things. I want to paint all the under side with a durable high gloss. Whatever I paint, it has to come out of a can. I don't have compressors and paint guns and such. What think guys? Your advise is never taken for granted. I have a deep respect for the advise that comes from the experience of my elders . Thanks Gents

 

[Austin]

I'd start by using a degreaser (Purple Power, etc) and a good wire brush to get anything loose off of the underside.

Depending on if there is any rust, go from there. If you have some surface rust, hit it with any Rustoleum paint. I actually used the Rustoleum Rust Reformer on my truck, then hit it with regular black spray paint. The rust reformer stops any rust that is there and primes the surface.

You can also look into getting a gallon of Rustoleum gloss black paint and brush it on (use a foam brush). The frame already has some texture to it, so you won't do too much to the finish. By using that technique you get a thicker layer of paint on the surface than with spray paint.

Just a side note, I'd been known to keep a dozen WalMart rattle cans around for touch ups. You can get them in gloss black for only a dollar!

 

[DNFXDLI]

If you have a good amount of time, you could use a wire brush to knock off any flaking rust and use a paint like Rustoleum, cheap to do and will look good and protect things for a good while.
If you have a few extra $$, then use POR15 instead of the Rustoleum or equivalent.
I would use a brush on over a spray bomb for the underside.
As far as removing grease and oil, a nylon brush and solvent work well, of course in this day and age, that might be construed as either unsafe or environmentally wrong

 

[Austin]

of course in this day and age, that might be construed as either unsafe or environmentally wrong

You actually must present ID at the register for such solvents.

+1 for POR15 if it's in the budget.

 

[DNFXDLI]

You actually must present ID at the register for such solvents.

Are you s*itting me?..what the hell???!!!

 

[smokey]

I would use a wire brush on a drill to clean up stuff way easier than by hand.
Get a quart can of primer and a paint brush it covers way better. If you can afford pur paint I would go with it. Rustolium doesn't last that long in comparison. Avoid spray can paint and use brush on it lasts way longer and its cheaper than spray cans.

 

[Austin]

Are you s*itting me?..what the hell???!!!

And spray paint. And compressed air fresheners. And whipped cream.

 

[DNFXDLI]

And spray paint. And compressed air fresheners. And whipped cream.

So the tree huggers and terrorists have already won....
This world is going straight in the crapper....wow...just wow.

 

[DNFXDLI]

Good point Randy, the drill does work much better and quicker.

 

[smokey]

I sent the kid out to grab a can of paint a few years and they wouldn't sell it to her.she was under 18. I went out and got it and told them if she comes to get more sell it to her.
I sent her in a few days later to get more as I waited in the car. The said no she said she was calling me they sold it to her guess they didn't want to deal with me again.

 

[DNFXDLI]

I don't get it...that is messed up.

 

[catatonichampster]

Hey Guys, when you are talking about 'solvents' are you talking about stuff like Acetone? How about using gasoline as a solvent? I'll have to Google up the por15. I don't have a clue about that. But painting it on with a brush? I never thought of that. You are talking about just a good high quality metal paint? Thanks guys! That has to be tons cheaper than how I was going to do it with cans. Thanks guys, Really! Thanks!

 

[DNFXDLI]

Don't use gas...solvent as in mineral spirits..aka, a Stoddard Solvent.
Acetone works well for varnish, but solvent will work better overall for degreasing.
POR15 is a propietary coating...check it out through Google.
Rustoleum is quite inexpensive although won't stand up as well as the POR15.

 

[kiwi f150]

I don't get it...that is messed up.

What some of these kids do Duncan is they get a spray can (preferably ados glue if they can) and spray it into a plastic bag and then shove thier face in it and inhale ..... solvent abuse can really decimate what little brain cells they have left and even lead to death (saving our countries an expensive rehab program) .


Unfortunately we all suffer for the actions of a minority yet again

 

[DNFXDLI]

That's nothing new, it has been going on for years....today's rules and regulations are messed up.

 

[Beach66Bum]

That's nothing new, it has been going on for years....today's rules and regulations are messed up.

yup, there's not much that today's kid's are allowed to do, hell, they're not even allowed to climb a tree, or worse, build a tree fort. Now that's messed up!!

 

[DNFXDLI]

Yet another reason for not having kids, I wouldn't do well with this bullsh*t

 

[Beach66Bum]

Yet another reason for not having kids, I wouldn't do well with this bullsh*t

yes you would, you let your kids do all the things you were allowed when you were young, and when a tree hugger comes along, you kick them in the !!

 

[DNFXDLI]

Maybe, but it ain't gonna happen!

 

[Beach66Bum]

Maybe, but it ain't gonna happen!

being 102 years old Duncan, nobody in their right mind would start a family now!!